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Barry mocked for childless snipe

27 Jul, 2012 5:30am

3 minutes to read

Maggie Barry has spoken in Parliament about many topics, including the law of the sea and the domestic purposes benefit - with no suggestion that she has any personal experience in those areas. Picture / Greg Bowker.

National MP Maggie Barry's suggestion that a childless Jacinda Ardern can't speak with authority on child laws has been ridiculed on social media.

On Wednesday, in a debate on extending paid parental leave to six months, Ms Barry asked the Labour MP, "How many kids do you have?" and later added: "Don't be so precious, petal."

The comments were mocked on social media, with Twitter users applying Ms Barry's logic to other areas - including whether only the former TV gardening host could talk with authority on an invasion by triffids.

A look at Ms Barry's speaking record in Parliament shows she does not always hold herself to the same standard she applied to Ms Ardern.

Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove has suggested she "go on gardening leave", adding, "You will be far more qualified for that than you are in this House with your contributions."

Ms Barry's arch-nemesis, NZ First MP Andrew Williams, also referred to gardening, saying his background in local government gave him "a little bit of knowledge, rather than those who concentrate on gardening activities".

Yesterday, Ms Ardern, 32, said she did not expect an apology from Ms Barry, and rejected any suggestion that she was not qualified to talk about paid parental leave because she had no children. "I haven't been to Antarctica but I know it's cold," she said.

Ms Barry did not respond to calls yesterday but a statement said Ms Ardern had treated it as a light-hearted remark.

"Neither of us will be losing any sleep over this and have both moved on to bigger issues."

TWEETS

Twitter users mocked Maggie Barry (and others) mercilessly under the hashtag #maggiebarrystandingorders Here are some of the best ...